WHO: Sponsored by the Friends of the Blake Library, Inc., in support of the Martin County Library System

WHAT: Chautauqua South

American Imagination: Langston Hughes

Presented by Charles Everett Pace

Martin County Library System will present actor and scholar Charles Everett Pace as poet and humorist Langston Hughes 6:30 p.m. Monday, February 28 in the John F. Armstrong Wing of the Blake Library, 2351 SE Monterey Road, Stuart. The first of four Chautauqua-style performances in the library system’s Chautauqua South arts and education series, “American Imagination: Langston Hughes” includes a dramatic presentation in character followed by a Q&A both in and out of character. Funded by the Friends of the Blake Library in Stuart, Inc., the program is free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations are required.

Acclaimed Chautauqua historical interpreter Charles Everett Pace will portray American humorist Langston Hughes, the first African American writer to make his living exclusively from his writing. A true “people’s poet,” Hughes demonstrated how humor can be marshaled as an effective tool of education, entertainment and social critique. Among the topics discussed will be the seminal role that Floridian Mary McLeod Bethune had on his development as professional artist and cultural critic. Finally Pace, as scholar, will discuss Hughes’s teachings on what it means to pursue success and happiness in the creative economy.

Charles Everett Pace was a program advisor for the Texas Union, University of Texas at Austin (B.A. biology), and has taught at The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Purdue University (M.A. American studies-history/anthropology) and Centre College of Kentucky. A 17-year veteran of The Great Plains Chautauqua, Pace and Chautauquan George Frein gave the keynote address at the final Presidential debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.

Pace has also conducted U. S. Government Public Diplomacy Missions in 25 cities and nine countries across Africa. He does Chautauqua presentations on Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Langston Hughes and Malcolm X. This provides the background for his latest work: “Taking the Lead: Creative Leadership Training for Today’s Students.”

Remaining presenters in the American Imagination series at the Blake Library are George Frein, Ph.D., as Dr. Seuss 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 4; Debra Conner as Emily Dickinson 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 7; and Christopher Lowell as Benjamin Franklin 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 11.